Design Matters

Thoughts of an Architect

A Message from The Firm

Our blog, Design Matters, is a place for our team to share our knowledge, community events, projects, resources, and opinions. It is a place for you to keep up with us and for us to hear from you. Thanks for reading!

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First Friday featured artist: Lori Mier

By Annie | March 22, 2022 | artwork, community, First Friday

We are thrilled for the return of First Fridays downtown and will feature artist Lori Mier on Friday, April 1st, ...

At Home with the Gaines Group

By Annie | March 21, 2022 | Charles Hendricks, citizen architect

"Samuel Mockbee said, 'Everyone, rich or poor, deserves a shelter for the soul.' That is the architect I want to ...

Designing for Accessibility in Multifamily Communities

By Annie | March 15, 2022 | aging in place, architecture, resources

We understand residents who are seeking accessible homes already face numerous challenges in their day-to-day ...

Celebrating Adrienne Stronge, Licensed Architect

By Annie | March 8, 2022 | architecture, Office Culture

Please join us as we celebrate Adrienne Stronge, RA, CSI, CDT, in her achievement of passing the Architectural ...

Project Spotlight: The Knoll at Stone View

By Annie | March 2, 2022 | architecture, project update

Construction is wrapping up on another successful, multi-family community project designed for our incredible ...

A healthy, vibrant, and livable community pays a Living Wage

By Annie | March 1, 2022 | citizen architect, Leadership, Local Leaders, Office Culture

We feel the challenges faced in our community every day as we work to build a better community. In today’s ...

Rotary is 115 today!! #serviceaboveself

By cbhendricks | February 23, 2022 | citizen architect, community, Leadership, Rotary

Rotary is celebrating a birthday. This organization founded by Paul Harris on February 23, 1905, is 115 today!! ...

Partnering with Habitat for Humanity of the New River Valley

By Annie | February 15, 2022 | architecture, project update

The Gaines Group is proud to once again partner with Habitat for Humanity of the New River Valley on the ...

Celebrate joy, hope, and love

By cbhendricks | February 5, 2022 | Charles Hendricks, Office Culture

As an architect, I am trained to think about problems--the things that are not working--and develop solutions to ...

Petro 2 Addition and Renovation

By cbhendricks | February 3, 2022 | architecture, Building Science, project update

We highly recommend travelers who frequent Interstate 81 to check out the new Petro Truck stop in Raphine! The ...

Muddy Creek Modern House

By cbhendricks | February 1, 2022 | architecture, project update

Light, delicate, and open; this modern house brings in warmth and comfort while capturing views acrossthe ...

Welcome to our team Annie Frazier

By cbhendricks | January 25, 2022 | architecture, Office Culture, team

It’s a new year and the Gaines Group is welcoming a new face to the team. Annie Frazier is the most recent ...